Tape-applying machine



Oct. 1939. A. R. RIDDERSTROM 2,175,613 I TAPE -APPLYI NG MACHI NE FiledJune 16, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I11 veflior 14.19. filooaesv zoMattorney's Oct. 10, 1939. A. R. RIDDERSTROM TAPE -APPLYING MACHINE FiledJune 16, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I?! 0677501 A E E/ODE/eST/ OM 1,3 :7

0, 19139.- A. R. RIDDERSTROM TAPE-APPLYING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1958 5Sheets-Sheet 3 I mmw AAAA v 3% fiw E O M by J Oct. 10, 1939.

A. R. RIDDERSTROM TAPE-APPLYING MACHINE 5 SheetS Sheet 4 Filed June 16,1938 Oct. 10, 1939. R RIDDER RQ 2,1-7 5,6'18

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mutbo Qua-6m 92 390mm TAPE-APPLYING MACHINE Filed June16, 1938 momma ozFzEm Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEto Prime Manufacturing Company,

Lynn,

Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application June 16, 1938, SerialNo. 213,990

11 Claims.

This invention relates to tape applying ma- ,chines and moreparticularly to a machine for applying reinforcing tape to foldable boxblank stock or blanks to reinforce the corners or fold lines of boxesformed therefrom, it being well known that such boxes are usually weakand likely to break along these lines. The primary object of theinvention is to produce a machine which will automatically applyadhesive reinforcing tape to predetermined portions of blank stock orblanks where reinforcement is desired, the invention being adapted tothe application of the adhesive tape to blanks or to strip stock duringthe formation of blanks therefrom.

1 My improved machine embodies means for feeding sheet stock or blanksalong a predetermined path and, preferably during such feeding movement,applying the end of one or more adhesive tapes on predetermined portionsthereof which are to be reinforced, whereupon a length of such tape isapplied adhesively to the blank. The machine furthermore includespressure rolls for feeding and pressing the tape on the blanks andsevering means for cutting off the tape after a predetermined lengththereof has been applied, including mechanism operated synchronouslywith the blank feeding mechanism whereby the tape is applied to thedesired predetermined portions of the blanks.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the machine may beconstructed to apply two or more adhesive tape portions to a blanksimultaneously and in predetermined spaced relation laterally of theblank and the machine is furthermore adapted to apply the tape portionssuccessively in predetermined spaced relation 1ongitudinally along theblank, a novel feature of the invention residing in means for varyingthese spacings as desired. The construction and arrangement of the partsis such that means operated synchronously with the feeding of the blanksplaces the end of the adhesive tape in predetermined contact with themoving blank in advance of a pressure feeding roll which thereupon feedsand presses the tape into contact with the blank,

the tape being drawn taut and severed when a predetermined portionthereof has been applied. The production of a machine embodying theseand other features of the invention, all as herein- 60 after morespecifically described, comprises a further object of the invention.

Further novel features of the invention relate to means for supportingand feeding from a stack of blanks and more particularly to a novel at-55 tachment for permitting the placing of addimmmnuinh .1

tional blanks on the stack while maintaining the bottom blanks in properfeeding position.

These and other features of the invention will be best understood andappreciated from the following description of preferred embodiments 5thereof selected for'purposes of illustration and shown in theaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partially in section and partially broken away,of a machine embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of Fig. 1 taken at a lowerelevation,

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the machine taken on line 3--3 ofFig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a detail view of a portion of Fig. 3 in another position,

Fig. 6 is a front view of the machine with the blank magazineeliminated, 20

Fig. '7 is a rear view thereof,

Fig. 8 is an elevation of one end of the machine, the driving wheelbeing omitted,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation of the other end of the machine, 25

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line Ill-l0 of Fig. '7,

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of a tape feedingmechanism,

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional 30 View taken on line l2-l2of Fig. 11,

Fig. 13 is a like view with the parts in another position,

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary perspective View of the tape carrying means, 35Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tape severing knifemechanism,

Figs. 16, 1'7, and 18 are fragmentary views illustrating the feeding andsevering of the tape,

Fig. 19 is a somewhat diagrammatic elevation 40 of a. machine embodyingmy invention and adapted to apply adhesive tape to strip stock,

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view of a blank taped in accordancewith my invention,

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary corner view of a box 45 formed from the blank,

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary View of the completed blank. In Figs. 1-18, Ihave illustrated a machine embodying my invention in a form adapted toapply reinforcing adhesive tape to sheet blanks I0 which have been diedout and creased on fold lines I 2. The particular purpose of the tapeportions [4 (Figs. 1 and 20) is to reinforce the resulting box at itscorners when the blank has been folded into the box form illustrated inFig. 21. I shall now proceed to describe this machine.

This machine as illustrated is particularly adapted to apply fouradhesive tape portions I4 to the blank I0 respectively adjacent to thefour corners of the blank and across the fold lines I2 indicated in Fig.l. The machine comprises a relatively long base i5 onwhich is mounted afixed head I5 and a relatively adjustable head I8, a screw I9 beingprovided for adjusting the latter head, and bolts 2!] being provided forsecuring this head and other parts in proper position on the base. Thetwo heads carry pressure feeding rolls for the blanks and each headcarries mechanism for handling an adhesive tape and applying the same tothe blank adjacent to a side edge thereof. The head I8 is largely aduplication of the head I6 and the corresponding parts thereof areherein indicated by like reference characters primed.

Power is supplied to the machine through a belt driven wheel 22 on ashaft 24 carried in the head I6 and connected by a telescopic joint 25to a like shaft 24' in the head I8. Blank feeding pressure rolls 25 and26 are mounted on these shafts adjacent to their inner ends. Cooperatingwith the rolls are two relatively larger rolls 28 and 28' freelyrotatable on the inner ends of studs 29 and 29' mounted in the free endsof arms 30 and 30' carried by shafts 32 and 32 in the heads I6 and I8.The rolls 28 and 28' are normally held upward to cooperate with rolls 26and 26' by means of springs 33 and 33 on rods 34 and 34 connected to thefree ends of arms 35 and 35' fixed to shafts 32 and 32'. The springsrest on brackets 38 and 36' pivotally carried by levers 31 and 31'pivoted to the heads I5 and I8 at 38 and 38, and the upper ends of thesprings bear against caps 40 and 40' threaded to the rods.

The rolls 28 and 28 may be retracted by moving the levers to theposition indicated in broken lines in Fig. 8, and upward movement of therolls is limited by adjustable stops 42 and 42.

By manipulating the stops 42 and 42 and the caps 40 and 40' the distancebetween the feed rolls may be varied so that blanks of differentthicknesses may be accommodated in the machine. Provision is made forretracting the lower rolls 28 and 28 so that access can be had to thetape feeding mechanism in order to thread new tape when a supply becomesexhausted.

Cooperating with the rolls 28 and 28' in advance of the rolls 26 and 26are relatively small ically splined to shaft The two tape feeding andsevering mechanisms are associated with these shafts and are duplicatesof each other. A description of the mechanism associated with shaft 50will therefore sufiice.

A support 54 for a roll of adhesive tape isprovided for each head I6 andI8 and the tape fromthis roll leads downwardly at 55 to a tape receivingplate 56 carried on the free end of an arm 58 having its other endpivotally connected at 59 to a bracket 60 secured to the shaft 50.Intermediate of its ends this arm is pivoted to a bracket 62 carried bya stud 63 rotatably mounted in the machine. The tape is led through anotch 64 in the upper end of the plate 55, beneath an eccentric roll 65which prevents retrograde movement of the tape, through a channel 66provided on a resilient finger 6'! and beneath a retaining finger 68,the tape being frictionally gripped between the fingers 61 and 68. Thismechanism serves to carry the end portion of the tape to the blank ashereinafter described.

A serrated tape severing knife 70 is carried on one end of a shaft 'IIsupported for rotation in a bearing I2 on the free end of a lever I3pivoted to the machine at I4. A link I6 anchored to the shaft 50 has itsfree end pivoted at l'i to an arm 18 on the other end of the shaft lIwhereby holding the pivot I! in fixed position. A link connects the freeend of the lever 73 with a bracket 82 secured to the shaft 50, thebracket 82 projecting away from the shaft on the side opposite to thebracket 60. This mechanism serves automatically to sever the tape afterit is applied to the blank, all as hereinafter described.

A magazine 84 for supporting a supply of sheet blanks I0 is provided inadvance of the rolls 26, 26 and 28, 28, the magazine having a frontplate 85 with an opening 86 at the bottom of a size to permit only oneblank to pass therethrough and this opening being in horizontalalignment with the bite between the blank engaging rolls. The rearportion of the bottom wall of the magazine is preferably convexedupwardly at 8'! (Fig. 4) and cooperating therewith is an endless chain88 having equally spaced blank engaging lugs 89 pcsitioned successivelytherealong to engage the bottom blanks and force them forwardly to thefeed rolls. The chain is driven by a sprocket 90 and extends over anidler 9|, a chain tightening idler being provided at 92.

The bottom blank is held firmly down at 81 for engagement by the lugs 89by a bar 94 resting on the top of the stack. The bar carries a link 95having its upper end connected to an arm 96 pivoted to a post 91 fixedto the machine on posts 98. Downward pressure is exerted on the arm andbar by springs 99 mounted on rods I00 connected to a bar IflI fixed tothe post 91, the springs being backed up by caps I02 threaded to therods.

Since it is desirable that downward pressure shall be constantlymaintained on the blank stack I have provided an attachment forpermitting the addition of more blanks to the top of the stack withoutreleasing this pressure. This at tachment comprises a blank supportingshelf I03 supported on the machine by links I05 and having an operatinghandle I51. The front end of the shelf converges to an edge which can beinserted between the top of the stack and an upwardly-rearwardly flaringplate I09 carried by the bar 94. A spring III connected to the front endportion of the shelf and to the machine therebeneath serves to placepressure on the stack when the shelf is thus located. Additional blanksmay thus be supplied to the top of the stack while pressure thereon ismaintained, all as illustrated in Fig. 5.

As the bottom blank is fed from the stack, the tape handling mechanismapplies the tape portions I4 to the predetermined portions of the blankillustrated in Fig. 1. Such action is as sured by driving the tapeapplying and blank feeding mechanisms synchronously from the belt drivenwheel 22 as will now be described.

The sprocket 90 is mounted on the inner end of a shaft I I3 supportedfor rotation in brackets II5 secured to the base I5, and this shaft isdriven from the shaft 24 through intermeshing gears H1 and H9. 'Alsomounted on the shaft H3 is a disc I2I carrying a fixed cam I23 and a'cam I25 relatively adjustable along a slot I21.

As the disc is rotated in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 10) thesecams engage a roller I29 on a link I3I and raise the link, the linknormally dropping by gravity. The lower end of this link is movablysupported on the head I6 by a pivotal connection I33. The upper end ofthe link is pivotally connected to a bracket I35 secured to the shaft50. Thus the cams give the shaft 50 rocking movements in the directionof the arrow (Fig. 12), the shaft returning quickly under the action ofgravity as the roller drops off the cams. It will be apparent that theinterval between the two shaft movements imparted by the cams can bevaried by adjusting the cam I25 along the slot I21.

The operation of the machine in applying adhesive tape portions I4 toblanks III as shown in Figs. 1-18 and above described will now bebriefly outlined. The head I8 is first adjusted to position, spacing thepressure feed rolls 26, 26', and 28, 28' and the cooperating tapehandling mechanisms a distance apart corresponding to the lateralspacing desired of the tape portions on the blank. Also the cam I25 isadjusted to a position so spaced from the cam I23 that the tape portionson each blank will be spaced apart longitudinally of the blank therequired distance as illustrated in Fig. 1.

anism is in its normal position (Fig. 16). Upon continued feedingmovement of the blank, the cam I23 rocks the shaft 50 in the directionindicated in Fig. 12. Such rockingmovement (1) so rocks the arm 58 aboutthe bracket 62 and stud 63 as to move the free tape-carrying end of thearm to the position indicated in Fig. 17 and (2) lifts the lever 13about its pivot 14 whereby not only raising the tape severing knife 10but also (due to the anchored pivot 11) rotating the knife about theaxis II to the position illustrated in Fig. 1'7.

Such movements simultaneously place the end of the tape in contact withthe moving blank and withdraw the knife. The overhanging end of the tapethereupon passes beneath the roll 44 whereupon the combined tape andblank are gripped and fed along between rolls 44-28 and to rolls 26-28.This action continues until the roller I29 rides off the cam I23 andduring which period a predetermined length of tape is drawn intoadhesive contact with the blank. When the roller rides off the cam, thequick reverse rocking movement of the shaft 50 under the action ofgravity snaps the parts to the position indicated in Fig. 18. In thisposition the plate 56 has retreated whereby pulling the tape taut andthe knife has dropped to a position severing the taut tape. The blankcontinues its feeding movement and when the cam I25 engages the rollerI29 the shaft 50 is given another like rocking movement whereupon thesucceeding tape portion I4 illustrated in Fig. l is applied in only, theother head operates simultaneously and in like manner therewith.

In Fig. 19 I have illustratedmechanism adapting the application ofreinforcing adhesive tape to blank stock in strip form during theprinting, creasing, cutting and folding of such stock into box blanks.In this case the stock in strip form I39 is drawn from a supply rollI4I. As illustrated, the strip passes successively through suitableprinting mechanism I43, tape applying mechanism I45, blank creasing andcutting mechanism I41, and finally the blanks are folded at I49 to theform illustrated at I5I in Fig. 22. In this form the side walls I53 ofthe blank are folded onto the side walls I55 and these combined wallsI53-I55 are then folded into contact with the body of the blank.However, the invention herein concerns only the tape applying mechanismI45 in conjunction with the strip feeding and blank forming mechanism.

The tape applying mechanism I45 is substantially the same as thatheretofore described except that the pressure rolls I51 correspondingto'rolls' 26-28 are not driven. The relatively small roll I58cooperating with the lower roll I51, and corresponding to the small roll44 shown in Figs. 16-18, is driven at a surface speed correspondingto'the surface speed of the feed rolls I59 which feed rolls also performthe creasing and cutting of the strip into blanks, the adhesive tapebeing drawn from a supply roll IBI. The rock shaft I63, corresponding torock shaft 59, is operated by cams I65 and I61 on one of the feed rollshafts, these cams cor--' the tape is applied thereto in positionsdetermined by the cams I65 and I61 and the arrangement of these cams issuch that the tape is applied to the strip not only within the outlinesof the blanks to be subsequently formed therefrom but also in thespecific locations desired, as the locations illustrated in Fig. 1. Theoperation of the tape applying mechanism is otherwise the same as hasalready been described in connection with Figs. l-18. Rolls I15 may alsobe provided for passing the severed'blanks into the folder I49.

The tape is applied to the corners of the blanks across the fold linesI2 as illustrated in Fig. 20 which tape reinforcesthe corners of theresulting box as illustrated at I11 in Fig. 21. As the blanks leave themechanism illustrated in Fig. 19 they are folded to the form illustratedat I5I in Fig. 22.

Having thus disclosed my invention and described one embodiment thereof,what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is,-

1. A tape applying machine comprising in combination, means for feedinga sheet along a predetermined path, means for supporting a supply ofadhesive tape, means including a finger carrying the free end portion ofthe tape, means operated synchronously with the sheet feeding means formoving the finger to carry the end of the tape onto a predeterminedportion of the sheet while the sheet is in feeding motion, meansincluding a roll for engaging the tape and pressing it into firm contactwith the sheet during continued feeding movement of the sheet, meansoperated in conjunction with the finger for thereafter holding the tapetaut between the sheet and finger, and

' means for severing the tape adjacent to the end of the finger whilethus held.

2. A tape applying machine comprising in combination, a pair of rollsfor engaging a sheet therebetween and feeding the sheet along apredetermined path, a relatively small roll cooperating with one of thefirst-named rolls in advance of the other roll, means for supporting asupply of tape, means carrying the free end portion of the tape adjacentto and in advance of said small roll, means operated synchronously withthe sheet feeding rolls for moving the tape carrying means to engage theend of the tape with a predetermined portion of the sheet in advance ofthe small roll while the sheet is in feeding motion whereupon thecombined tape and sheet pass under pressure contact between the smallroll and the roll cooperating therewith, and means for thereaftersevering the tape a predetermined distance from its end.

3. A tape applying machine comprising in combination, means forsupporting a sheet for movement along a predetermined path, means forsupporting a supply of adhesive tape, means for carrying the end of thetape, a tape severing knife adjacent thereto, a shaft, means connectingthe tape carrying means and knife to the shaft, and means for rockingthe shaft in one direction and causing the knife to withdraw and thetape carrying means to feed the end of the tape onto a predeterminedportion of the sheet, rocking movement of the shaft in the oppositedirection being adapted to withdraw the tape carrying means and move theknife forwardly to sever the tape.

4. A tape applying machine comprising in combination, two pairs offeeding rolls for engaging spaced portions of a sheet and feeding thesheet along a predetermined path, a shaft parallel with the rotary axesof the rolls, means carried by the shaft for supporting the free ends oftwo adhesive tapes respectively adjacent to and in advance of said twopairs of rolls, means operated synchronously with the rolls for rockingthe shaft in one direction to feed the ends of said tapes ontopredetermined portions of a sheet being fed by the rolls, and meansoperatively connected to the shaft for severing the tapes upon movementof the shaft in the opposite direction.

5. A tape applying machine comprising a plurality of laterallyadjustable heads each of which includes a set of the following elements:a pair of blank feeding rolls, a third roll disposed in advance of saidfeed rolls, a rock shaft, a tape delivering finger linked to said rockshaft, a knife also linked to said rock shaft, and cam actuated meansresponsive to the rotation of said feed rolls for rocking said shaftfirst to deliver tape from said finger to a blank under said third rolland subsequently to sever the tape.

6. A combined blanking and taping machine, comprising a sheet stripfeeder, a creaser and cutter, a folder, and means in advance of saidcreaser and cutter and controlled thereby for applying lengths ofadhesive tape to selected portions of said sheet strip, said meansincluding a rock shaft, a tape delivering finger moved in one stroke ofsaid rock shaft, and a serrated knife operating on the reverse stroke ofsaid rock shaft for severing the tape.

7. A tape applying machine comprising a pair of cooperating feed rolls,means for varying the distance between said feed rolls, a, rock shaftdisposed adjacent said rolls and arranged to be actuated atpredetermined intervals, a tape delivering finger controlled by saidrock shaft, a tape severing knife, said finger and knife being actuatedin alternate strokes of said rock shaft, and means for retracting thelower feed roll to provide access to said tape delivering finger.

8. In a combined blanking and taping machine including a sheet stripfeeder, a creaser and cut ter, and a folder; means for applying lengthsof adhesive tape to selected portions of said sheet strip, said meansincluding a cam associated with the creaser and cutter, a link operatedby said cam, a rock shaft actuated by said link, a tape deliveringfinger, and a tape severing knife, said finger and knife being arrangedto be actuated by alternate movements of said rock shaft.

9. A tape applying machine comprising a pair of cooperating feed rolls,means for varying the distance between said feed rolls, a. rock shaftdisposed adjacent said rolls and arranged to be actuated atpredetermined intervals, a tape delivering finger controlled by saidrock shaft,

and a tape severing knife, said finger and knifebeing actuated inalternate strokes of said rock shaft.

10. A tape applying machine comprising a pair of feed rolls, a presserroll disposed in advance of the bite of said feed rolls and bearing onthe.

lower feed roll, and a tape delivering finger arranged to deliver thefree end of an adhesive tape on the surface of a blank being fed throughthe rolls, whereby the end of the tape is engaged first between thepresser roll and the blank and then between the upper feed roll and theblank, all of said rolls co-operating to feed and unite the tape and theblank.

11. The tape applying machine defined in claim wherein means is providedfor varying the distance between the feed rolls.

ANDREW R. RIDDERSTROM.

